Category: Manchester United

It is very clear that so far, Manchester United are in no better position than they were when recent managers David Moyes and Louis van Gaal were in charge. The main difference is that there is a distinct increase in the quality of players available to Jose Mourinho but surely this is a positive thing. The fact is that there are too many similar players in the Manchester United team and there is no balance. In light of the Europa League game against Feyenoord, we decided to build what we thought was the strongest Manchester United team available.

GK – David de Gea

Easiest decision of all, de Gea has been a saviour of Manchester United for several seasons and this season is no different. The one world class player in the Manchester United team.

RB – Antonio Valencia

In direct competition with Matteo Darmian, Valencia has shown his qualities as a winger, starting attacks from the right back position and producing good crosses which so far the Manchester United strikers have not utilised.

CB – Chris Smalling

An ever present player in the United team, Smalling has been a rock at the back for several years. He has been benched recently however due to poor form.

CB – Eric Bailly

New signing Bailly has started life in the Premier League well, he is a strong, fast player and intelligent enough to form a good partnership with Chris Smalling.

LB – Luke Shaw

Since his arival at Manchester United, it has not been easy for Luke Shaw, having broke his leg last season he missed a large amount of game time and has struggled for a place in the United team, he is still very young and needs game time to develop into a top player.

CDM’s – Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney

This could be a strong partnership in midfield, with Carrick’s intelligence and defensive ability and Rooney’s attacking strengths, the duo could complement each other. The issue is match fitness as neither can last a full game at the moment.

LW – Anthony Martial

A young player with pace and power, Martial has not lived up to the sizable price tag he arrived for but impressed in the early stages of last season. There is not a doubt in the youngster’s ability and just needs game time to improve.

CAM – Juan Mata

Technically brilling player, Mata has been a massive positive this season scoring in key games for United, despite the apparent feud with manager Jose Mourinho.

RW – Marcus Rashford

A player with pace and confidence, Rashford has been regularly used out of position on the wing and until he adapts and plays well, I can’t see him playing up front instead of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

ST – Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Legend, Ibrahimovic has played in all of Europe’s top divisions and flourished but is struggling to adapt to the premier league, there is no doubt in his ability and just needs more luck in front of goal.